Warriors have big hole in the middle

John Hillyer, OF THE EXAMINER STAFF

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, March 21, 1996

As inconsistent as Rony Seikaly has been, becoming a scapegoat among fans and coaching staff alike, the torn left thumb tendon that probably ended his season - and his tenure with the Warriors - Tuesday in Houston couldn't have come at a worse time.

This is the time of year when size counts most, when the game starts to slow down as teams begin to concentrate on the halfcourt game that characterizes playoff basketball. Every possession becomes crucial, especially for a team on the playoff bubble, which the Warriors are.

Examination Wednesday by Dr. Michael Krinsky, the Warriors' orthopedic specialist, confirmed the tear, although Krinsky said surgery would not be required and the injury would be re-evaluated periodically. A Warriors statement said there was some hope Seikaly might play again this season, but the chances of that were not spelled out. Presumably they're slim.

Seikaly has asked to be traded, and the Warriors are expected to try to accommodate him over the summer. They held on to him as last month's trade deadline passed, in part because they felt he could help them make the playoffs.

Whatever his faults, Seikaly is a 6-foot-11, 253-pound center with a strong post-up game developed over the course of eight NBA seasons, and there is no way for the Warriors to replace that right now.

"You know you're not going to find somebody in the CBA that's going to make a difference," coach Rick Adelman said. "So you either have to have Cliff (Rozier) come in and be a factor or you have to play small. We just have to evaluate each game as to what the best matchup is. But losing Rony definitely hurts us."

Adelman can only be grateful the Warriors made the Feb. 22 trade with Miami that fetched them another big veteran, 7-foot Kevin Willis, who recently replaced Seikaly in the starting lineup. But Adelman was hoping to put both to major use.

"I really thought if we could get those two guys going, that would be a really nice combination in a playoff situation," Adelman said. "Two big guys we could go to and two big guys who could defend the bigger people."

Seikaly's loss apparently will mean more playing time for one of the Warriors' younger big men, the disgruntled Rozier or rookie Andrew DeClercq, who has played only 42 minutes all season.

"I think we'll try them both," Adelman said. "They're two different types of players. Depending on the matchup, I'd think Cliff would be the first guy, but I'd try Andrew, too, if that wasn't working out."

The Warriors, battling Sacramento for the eighth and last playoff spot in the NBA West, will have 14 games left after visiting Phoenix Thursday night. Nine are at home, including a rematch with the Suns on Saturday night.&lt;